Cancellation coverage is usually included in international travel insurance policies. While it may be the last thing on your mind when you’ve lost a loved one, it’s reassuring to know that you’re protected in case something terrible happens right before your trip.
Standard online travel insurance policies typically include cancellation coverage, which reimburses you for the cost of your trip should you be forced to cancel due to an unforeseen event such as sickness, injury, jury duty, or unexpected passing away.
Check your family travel insurance coverage for specifics on what to do if you need to cancel your vacation due to losing a loved one (in a section called vital features). One possible acceptable reason for cancellation is the passing away or severe sickness of a “close relative,” travel companion, or close work colleague.
There’s a chance you’ll get your money back if you have to cancel your vacation because a loved one passes away overseas.
Sudden passing away is just one reason why purchasing travel insurance immediately after booking a trip is crucial to be protected from the outset should anything go wrong. Make sure your travel cancellation insurance will cover the total price of your vacation (including any airfare, lodging, and planned excursions).
When might family travel insurance not pay for a family member’s funeral?
Suppose your loved one passed away due to a condition (including a pre-existing medical condition) or circumstances that you were aware of before purchasing the policy or booking your trip. That condition was likely to cause you to shorten or cancel your trip. In that case, you will not be eligible for any benefits under the bereavement coverage. Any relatives you had planned to visit while abroad, whether they were also travelling with you or not, fall under this category.
What constitutes a “close” relationship varies from service to service. Depending on the policy, in-laws such as cousins, brothers, and sisters may or may not be covered. To qualify with some service providers, your partner may need to have been residing at the same residence for a minimum amount of time, typically between three and six months.
In most cases, coverage will not extend to cover a person’s companion animal, such as a dog or cat. It’s important to remember that most funeral insurance policies do not pay out if the deceased committed suicide.
What if there is a sudden passing away in the family while I am away?
Repatriation insurance might help if a family member travelling with you passes away. The coverage will often pay up to the specified amount for overseas funeral expenses, including repatriating the body or ashes.
If your family member or friend passes away on your trip who did not acquire the required immunisations could potentially leave you financially responsible for their funeral costs.
Dealing with someone’s passing away in another country
Dealing with the aftermath of someone’s passing away in another country may be a very stressful and perplexing experience. If you’re in this position, our repatriation advice may be helpful.
Additional resources from the Indian government are available to assist you in coping with an unexpected passing away that has occurred outside the country.
If you must cut short your trip because a loved one back home passes away, most international travel insurance policies will pay for the following expenses:
- Expenses for transportation, lodging, meals, and tours
- Reasonable expenditures for additional transportation to return to India
While filing a claim with your insurer, they may ask for documents like the following:
- All travel-related charges and expenses, such as receipts and invoices
- Death certificate
Rebooking your flight back home requires communicating with your service provider in advance; Some may organise your travel logistics on your behalf. Learn more about this on your travel insurance app; download it today.
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
